Open end ratchet wrench



Dec. 11, 1962 P. 1. RICCI 3,067,641

OPEN END RATCHET WRENCH Filed July 15, 1960 s Sheets-Sheet 1 64 @QV O/(D/ 6 65/ 3 @f? o a 0 5 52 FIG. I

INVENTOR. PETER J. R lCCl ATTORNEY Dec. 11, 1962 P. J. Rlccl OPEN END RATCHET WRENCH 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 15, 1960 NVA a INVENTOR.

PETER J. RICCI BY ATTORNEY Dec. 11, 1962 P. J. RlCCl OPEN END RATCHET WRENCH 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 15, 1960 \RO/ h INVENTOR PETER J. RICCI ATTORNEY United States Patent Office 3,067,641 Patented Dec. 11, 1962 3,067,641 OPEN END RATCHET WRENCH Peter J. Ricci, 40 Victory Ave., West Warwick, RI. Filed July 15, 1960, Ser. No. 43,201 12 (Ilaixns. (Cl. 8161) My present invention relates to hand tools and more particularly to a novel construction of an open end ratchet wrench.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an open end ratchet wrench which can be used to operate in difficult and hard to get at positions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an open end ratchet wrench which will lock in operative position to prevent slipping.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an open end ratchet wrench in which the operative parts can be stamped fiat so that the wrench occupies a minimum of space.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an open end ratchet Wrench which will operate in place of a socket or other special type of wrench.

With the above and other objects and advantageous features in view my invention consists of a novel arrangement of parts more fully disclosed in the detailed description following in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and more particularly defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an open end ratchet wrench embodying my invention.

FIG. 2 is an edge view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view thereof.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged elevation of the front end.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged elevation of the rear end.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged top plan view with the cover removed.

FIG. 7 is a section taken on line 7--7 on FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a section taken on line 88 on FIG. 6.

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the operating pin.

FIG. 9 is a section taken on line 9-9 on FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 6 with the ratchet wrench head in locked position.

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 6 with the wrench in operative position.

Small open end wrenches are required for assembly of a great deal of equipment where the space is limited. If the nut is small the wrench slips off and more often than that there is very little room or movement for the wrench. The present invention provides a small open end wrench which will lock to the bolt during the operation of the wrench and which is provided with a ratchet arrangement so that the wrench can be operated with a small amount of movement.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, the wrench of the present invention is of generally elongated rectangular form in a flat thin construction as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 inclusive. The wrench of the present invention comprises a housing consisting of a base 20 and a thin cover plate 21. Midway between the ends the cover plate 21 is provided with a rectangular plate 22 which forms a raised portion. At one end the housing forms a pair of arcuate jaw members 23 and 24 which taper to spaced points forming a circular opening 25. The jaw-s encompass approximately 275 degrees of the perimeter of the circular opening 25.

Referring to FIGS. 5 to 9 inclusive the bottom 20 of the housing is provided with vertical side walls 26 on which the cover 21 is mounted. The bottom 20 of the housing is provided with a central longitudinal flat groove or channel 27 leaving raised bottom portions 28 on each side. The raised portion 28 extend from the rear of the housing to a point short of the front end terminating in slanted end portions 29 which taper outwardly as shown in 6. This effect provides the front end of the housing surrounding the opening 25 with a deeper portion extending from the cover 21 to the depth of the central channel portion 27. The bottom 20 is provided with a longitudinal slot 3d extending from approximately the center to a point midway to the rear end as shown in FIG. 3. The slot extends through the bottom and into the channel portion 2'7. 1 now provide a cam slide member 31 which comprises an elongated thin plate which fits into the central groove 27' as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 and is slidable therein. Adjacent its rear end, the cam slide member 31 is provided with a rectangular opening 32. The front end of the cam slide member is rounded at the corners at 33. As can be seen in FIGS. 6 and 7 the member 331 is normally positioned in the channel 27 so that its front end 33 extends at the beginning of the tapered ends 29 of the portions 23.

I now provide a generally rectangular slide plate 34 which rests on the portions 28 as shown in FIG. 8 and of a thickness to fill the bottom 20. The plate 34 is provided with a longitudinal slot 35 adjacent its rear end with the back end of the slot coinciding with the rectangular opening 32 in the member 31 and extending forwardly in parallel relation with the slot 30 in the bottom 20. The forward end of the plate 34 is divided into three spaced fingers. Two outer fingers 36 extend along the side edges as shown in FIG. 6 and terminate in openings 37. A central elongated finger 38 extends forwardly beyond the ends of the fingers 36 and terminates in a slightly enlarged rectangular head 39 having an arcuate end 49. A pair of leaf springs 41 are embedded in the body of the plate 34 and extend forwardly one on each side of the tongue 38. The ends of the springs 41 are turned inwardly towards each other at a slight angle and extend beyond the forward ends of the fingers 36.

I now provide a pair of jaw members 42 which comprise opposed arcuate fingers coinciding with the circular opening 25. The rear of each jaw member is wedgeshaped as at 43 and in retracted position. The outside edge of each wedge-shaped portion 43 will nest against the tapered ends 29 of the portions 28 as shown in FIG. 6. Each jaw member 42 is connected to one of the fingers 36 by means of a flat bent lever arm 44. The rear end of each lever arm 44 is provided with a vertical pin 45 which extends into the opening 37 at the end of the finger 36 to form a pivotal connection. The front end of each lever 44 is similarly pivotally connected at 46 (FIG. 10) with the tapered portion of the jaws 42.

On each side of the housing jaws 23 and 24 are a pair of ratchet members 47 which lie over the top of the jaws 42 and rearwardly over the slanted tips 29 of the portions 28. The ratchet members 47 are provided with generally rectangular rear portions 48 terminating in inner fingers 49. From the rectangular portions 48 each ratchet member 47 tapers forwardly and is then turned at a short sharp right angle inwardly at 50 to the edge of the opening 25 as shown in FIG. 16. The tapered portions of the ratchet members 47 are provided with openings 51. The cover 21 is provided with pivot pins 52 which enter the openings 51 when the cover is in place. The up-turned walls 26 of the bottom of the housing are also provided with positioning pins .53 which enter openings in the cover to ensure proper assembly of the parts.

Operation of the mechanism is provided by a pin 54 having a rectangular portion 55 which extends through a longitudinal slot 56 in the cover 21. The slot 5.6 extends forwardly into the plate 22. as shown in FIG. 1. The pin 55 extends through the slot 35 in the plate 34, through the rectangular opening 32 in the member 31 and through the slot 30 in the bottom 2%. It will be noted that the pin 54 and its rectangular portion 55 is longer than the thickness of the housing. The top end of the pin is provided with an enlarged head 57 and the bottom with an enlarged head 58. The pin is held in downward position by a coil spring 59 surrounding the rectangular portion 55, the bottom end of the spring 59 bearing against the head 58 and the top end of the spring 59 bearing against a washer 60. The upper portion of the rectangular portion 5-5 is provided with a laterally extending arm 61 which normally lies in the slot 35 of the member 1%. Upward movement of the pin 54 against the action of the spring 59 will lift the arm 61 from the slot 35.

In use, a ratchet jaw 62 is positioned in the opening 25 as shown in FIGS. 7, l and 11. The ratchet jaw 62 is generally U-shaped and may be of any desired length to reach the nut. It is provided with spaced teeth 63 on its outer surface and with one or more transverse grooves 64. The ratchet jaw is positioned in the opening 25 as shown in FIG. 7. The pin 54 is now moved forwardly into the position shown in FIG. 10 at which point the upper head 57 butts against the plate 22 on the cover 21. The forward movement of the pin 54 pushes the sliding tongue 31 and the member 34 forwardly. Forward movement of the member 34 causes the jaws 42 to slide around the ratchet jaw 62. in the groove 64 in the position shown in FIG. 10. Simultaneously the forward ends of the leaf springs 41 engage the rearwardly extending fingers 49 of the ratchet members 47, pivoting the ratchet members so that their ends 59 engage the ratchet jaw. The arcuate front edge 49 of the tongue 38 has also moved forwardly against the ratchet jaw 62. The ratchet jaw 62 is now locked in position as shown in FIG. 10.

The tool is now placed over the nut and the pin 54 is pushed upwardly against the action of the spring 59 lifting the arm 61 from the slot 35. The pin is now moved forwardly so that the head 57 slides over the plate 22. This additional forward movement creates a lost motion so that the member 34 is no longer being pushed forwardly because the arm 61 is no longer in the slot 35, but the member 31 is moved forwardly until its front end engages the bends in the levers 44 spreading them apart as shown in FIG. 11. This pivotal movement of the levers 44 is transmitted to the jaws 42 which are pushed around in the groove 64 of the ratchet member 62 until they meet to close the opening 25, locking the tool to the nut. Now viewing FIG. 11 if the tool is swung clockwise the ends d of the members 47 engage the ratchet teeth 63 and move the ratchet jaw clockwise to tighten the nut. Reverse movement causes the ends 50 to slide over the ratchet teeth against the resilient action of the springs 41. The nut can therefore be tightened with a rocking motion as in any other ratchet member. When the nut is to be loosened the ratchet jaw 62 is inserted upside down so that the teeth 63 face in the opposite direction. The same locking action and the same engaging action takes place except that the ratchet jaw is now moved counterclockwise. The closed ends of the jaws 42 as seen in FIG. 11 will lock the tool to the nut and prevent the ratchet jaw from slipping ofi the nut. This is important when the tool is being inserted in a crowded assembly where it is hard to reach.

In releasing the tool the action is reversed. The pin 54 is moved rearwardly until it snaps off the plate 22. The jaws are now withdrawn into the position shown in FIG. and the tool can he slipped off the nut. Further rearward movement of the pin 54 releases the ratchet jaw 62 so that it can be removed from the tool. Because of the plurality of ratchet teeth, the tool will always be in a position where it is removable without loosening the nut. This is not possible with a fixed open end wrench.

The various parts are designed so that they can be readily stamped from sheet stock to reduce costs. The assembly and action are simple and effective. Other advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. An open end ratchet wrench comprising an elongated housing having spaced jaw portions extending arcuately toward each other to define a circular opening therebetween, a U-shaped gripping member adapted to be positioned in said opening, said gripping member having inner angular Wall portions for engaging a nut, said gripping member having outer ratchet teeth extending peripherally thereof and having a horizontal groove on the outer surface thereof, means for locking said gripping member to said housing, said gripping member locking means including a pair of tapered auxiliary jaw members slidably mounted in said housing and means for sliding said auxiliary jaw members forwardly through said gripping member groove, means for locking said wrench to a nut, and means for rotating said gripping member by reciprocating said housing.

2. An open end ratchet wrench comprising an elongated housing having spaced jaw portions extending arcuately toward each other to define a circular opening there between, a U-shaped gripping member adapted to be positioned in said opening, said gripping member having inner angular wall portions for engaging a nut, said gripping member having outer ratchet teeth extending peripherally thereof and having a horizontal groove on the outer surface thereof, means for locking said gripping member to said housing, said gripping member locking means includ ing a pair of tapered auxiliary jaw members slidably mounted in said housing and means for sliding said auxiliary jaw members forwardly through said gripping member groove, means for locking said wrench to a nut, said wrench locking means closing the space between said housing jaw portions, and means for rotating said gripping member by reciprocating said housing.

3. An open end ratchet wrench comprising an elongated housing having spaced jaw portions extending arcuately toward each other to define a circular opening therebetween, a U-shaped gripping member adapted to be positioned in said opening, said gripping member having inner angular wall portions for engaging a nut, said gripping member having outer ratchet teeth extending peripherally thereof and having a horizontal groove on the outer sur face thereof, means for locking said gripping member to said housing, said gripping member locking means includ ing a pair of tapered auxiliary jaw members slidably mounted in said housing and means for sliding said aux iliary jaw members forwardly through said gripping member groove, means for locking said wrench to a nut, said auxiliary jaw members extending around said grip ping member and closing the space between said housing jaw portions to provide a wrench locking means, and means for rotating said gripping member by reciprocating said housing.

4. An open end ratchet wrench comprising an elongated housing having spaced jaw portions extending arcuately toward each other to define a circular opening therebetween, a U-shaped gripping member adapted to be positioned in said opening, said gripping member having inner angular wall portions for engaging a nut, said gripping member having outer ratchet teeth extending peripherally thereof and having a horizontal groove on the outer surface thereof, means for locking said gripping member to said housing, said gripping member locking means including a pair of tapered auxiliary jaw members slidably mounted in said housing and means for sliding said auxiliary jaw members forwardly through said gripping member groove, means for locking said wrench to a nut, and means for rotating said gripping member by reciprocating said housing, said rotating means including a ratchet member mounted in said housing on opposite sides of said jaw opening, each ratchet member having an inturned end engaging the peripheral teeth on said gripping; member.

5. An open end ratchet wrench comprising an elongated housing having spaced jaw portions extending arcuately toward each other to define a circular opening therebetween, a U-shaped' gripping member adapted to be positioned in said opening, said gripping member having inner angular wall portions for engaging a nut, said gripping member having outer ratchet teeth extending peripherally thereof and having a horizontal groove on the outer surface thereof, means for locking said gripping member to said housing, said gripping member locking means including a pair of tapered auxiliary jaw members slidably mounted in said housing and means for sliding said auxiliary jaw members forwardly through said gripping member groove, means for locking said Wrench to a nut, said auxiliary jaw members extending around said gripping member and closing the space between said housing jaw portions to provide a wrench locking means, and means for rotating said gripping member by reciprocating said housing, said rotating means including a ratchet member mounted in said housing on opposite sides of said jaw opening, each ratchet member having an inturned end engaging the peripheral teeth on said gripping member.

6. An open end ratchet wrench comprising an elongated housing having spaced jaw portions extending arcuately toward each other to define a circular opening therebetween, a U-shaped gripping member adapted to be positioned in said opening, said gripping member having inner angular wall portions for engaging a nut, said gripping member having outer ratchet teeth extending peripherally thereof and having a horizontal groove on the outer surface thereof, means for locking said gripping member to said housing, said gripping member locking means including a pair of tapered auxiliary jaw members slidably mounted in said housing and means for sliding said auxiliary jaw members forwardly through said gripping member groove, means for locking said wrench to a nut, and means for rotating said gripping member by reciprocating said housing, said rotating means including a ratchet member mounted in said housing on opposite sides of said jaw opening, each ratchet member having an inturned end engaging the peripheral teeth on said gripping memher, said ratchet members being pivotally mounted, and spring means bearing against the rear ends thereof for resiliently retaining said members in engagement with said gripping member ratchet teeth.

7. An open end ratchet wrench comprising an elongated housing having spaced jaw portions extending arcuately toward each other to define a circular opening therebetween, a U-shaped gripping member adapted to be positioned in said opening, said gripping member having inner angular wall portions for engaging a nut, said gripping member having outer ratchet teeth extending peripherally thereof and having a horizontal groove on the outer surface thereof, means for locking said gripping member to said housing, said gripping member locking means including a pair of tapered auxiliary jaw members slidably mounted in said housing and means for sliding said auxiliary jaw members forwardly through said gripping member groove, means for locking said wrench to a nut, said auxiliary jaw members extending around said gripping member and closing the space between said housing jaw portions to provide a wrench locking means, and means for rotating said gripping member by reciprocating said housing, said rotating means including a ratchet member mounted in said housing on opposite sides of said jaw opening, each ratchet member having an inturned end engaging the peripheral teeth on said gripping member, said ratchet members being pivotally mounted, and spring means bearing against the rear ends thereof for resiliently retaining said members in engagement with said gripping member ratchet teeth.

8. An open end ratchet wrench comprising an elongated housing having spaced jaw portions extending arcuately toward each other to define a circular opening therebetween, a U-shaped gripping member adapted to be positioned in said opening, said gripping member having inner angular Wall portions for engaging a nut, said gripping member having outer ratchet teeth extending peripherally thereof and having a horizontal groove on the outer surface thereof, means for locking said gripping member to said housing, said gripping member locking means including a pair of tapered auxiliary jaw members slidably mounted in said housing and means for sliding said auxiliary jaw members forwardly through said gripping member groove, means for locking said wrench to a nut, and means for rotating said gripping member by reciprocating said housing, said rotating means including a ratchet member mounted in said housing on opposite sides of said jaw opening, each ratchet member having an inturned end engaging the peripheral teeth on said gripping member, said ratchet members being pivotally mounted, and spring means bearing against the rear ends thereof for resiliently retaining said members in engagement with said gripping member ratchet teeth, and a plate slidably mounted in said housing, the forward end of said plate having spaced fingers, levers pivotally con necting said spaced fingers to said auxiliary jaw members, said ratchet member spring means being mounted between said fingers in said plate.

9. An open end ratchet wrench comprising an elongated housing having spaced jaw portions extending arcuately toward each other to define a circular opening therebetween, a U-shaped gripping member adapted to be positioned in said opening, said gripping member having inner angular wall portions for engaging a nut, said gripping member having outer ratchet teeth extending peripherally thereof and having a horizontal groove on the outer surface thereof, means for locking said gripping member to said housing, means for locking said wrench to a nut, said wrench locking means closing the space between said housing jaw portions, and means for rotating said gripping member by reciprocating said housing, said rotating means including a ratchet member mounted in said housing on opposite sides of said jaw opening, each ratchet member having an inturned end engaging the peripheral teeth on said gripping member, said ratchet members being pivotally mounted, and spring means bearing against the rear ends thereof for resiliently retaining said members in engagement with said gripping member ratchet teeth, and a plate slidably mounted in said housing, the forward end of said plate having spaced fingers, levers pivotally connecting said spaced fingers to said auxiliary jaw members, said ratchet member spring means being mounted between said fingers in said plate.

10. An open end ratchet wrench comprising an elongated housing having spaced jaw portions extending arcuately toward each other to define a circular opening therebetween, a U-shaped gripping member adapted to be positioned in said opening, said gripping member having inner angular wall portions for engaging a nut, said gripping member having outer ratchet teeth extending peripherally thereof and having a horizontal groove on the outer surface thereof, means for locking said gripping member to said housing, said gripping member locking means including a pair of tapered auxiliary jaw members slidably mounted in said housing and means for sliding said auxiliary jaw members forwardly through said gripping member groove, means for locking said wrench to a nut, said auxiliary jaw members extending around said gripping member and closing the space between said housing jaw portions to provide a wrench locking means, and means for rotating said gripping member by reciprocating said housing, said rotating means including a ratchet member mounted in said housing on opposite sides of said jaw opening, each ratchet member having an inturned end engaging the peripheral teeth on said gripping member, said ratchet members being pivotally mounted, and spring means bearing against the rear ends thereof for resiliently retaining said members in engagement with said gripping member ratchet teeth, and a plate slidably mounted in said housing, the forward end of said plate having spaced fingers, levers pivotally connecting said spaced fingers to said auxiliary jaw members, said ratchet member spring means being mounted between said fingers in said plate.

11. An open end ratchet Wrench comprising an elongated housing having spaced jaw portions extending arcuately toward each other to define a circular opening therebetween, a U-shaped gripping member adapted to be positioned in said opening, said gripping member hav ing inner angular wall portions for engaging a nut, said gripping member having outer ratchet teeth extending peripherally thereof and having a horizontal groove on the outer surface thereof, means for locking said gripping member to said housing, said gripping member locking means including a pair of tapered auxiliary jaw members slidably mounted in said housing and means for sliding said auxiliary jaw members forwardly through said gripping member groove, means for locking said wrench to a nut, said auxiliary jaw members extending around said gripping member and closing the space between said housing jaw portions to provide a wrench locking means, and means for rotating said gripping member by reciprocating said housing, said rotating means including a ratchet member mounted in said housing on opposite sides of said jaw opening, each ratchet member having an inturned end engaging the peripheral teeth on said gripping member, said ratchet members being pivotally mounted, and spring means bearing against the rear ends thereof for resiliently retaining said members in engagement with said gripping member ratchet teeth, and a plate slidably mounted in said housing, the forward end of said plate having spaced fingers, levers pivotally connecting said spaced fingers to said auxiliary jaw members, said ratchet member spring means being mounted between said fingers in said plate, an elongated tongue slidably mounted in said housing beneath said plate, said tongue spreading said jaw levers in forward position to move said auxiliary jaws into wrench locking position.

12. An open end ratchet wrench comprising .an elongated housing having spaced jaw portions extending arcuately toward each other to define a circular opening therebetween, a U-shaped gripping member adapted to be positioned in said opening, said gripping member having inner angular wall portions for engaging a nut, said gripping member having outer ratchet teeth extending peripherally thereof and having a horizontal groove on the outer surface thereof, means for locking said gripping member to said housing, said gripping member locking means including a pair of tapered auxiliary jaw members slidably mounted in said housing and means for sliding said auxiliary jaw members forwardly through said gripping member groove, means for locking said wrench to a nut, said auxiliary jaw members extending around said gripping member and closing the space between said rousing jaw portions to provide a wrench locking means, and means for rotating said gripping member by reciproeating said housing, said rotating means including a ratchet member mounted in said housing on opposite sides of said jaw opening, each ratchet member having an inturned end engaging the peripheral teeth on said gripping member, said ratchet members being pivotally mounted, and spring means bearing against the rear ends thereof for resiliently retaining said members in engagement with said gripping member ratchet teeth, and a plate slidably mounted in said housing, the forward end of said plate having spaced fingers, levers pivotally connecting said spaced fingers to said auxiliary jaw members, said ratchet member spring means being mounted between said fingers in said plate, an elongated tongue slidably mounted in said housing beneath said plate, said tongue spreading said jaw levers in forward position to move said auxiliary jaws into wrench locking position, and means for sliding said tongue and plate longitudinally in said housing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 854,174 Noyer May 21, 1907 950,675 Perussing Mar. 1, 1910 1,157,427 Seivert Oct. 19, 1915 1,350,315 Katzmarek Aug. 24, 1920 1,507,969 Kilgour Sept. 9, 1924 2,099,601 Fields Nov. 16, 1937 2,758,493 Goldwater Aug. 14, 1956 2,851,914 Zeckzer Sept. 16, 1958 

